Greetings from the sports desk nestled somewhere beneath the main deck of the adventurous Good Pirate Ship RedState. Tonight, Sammy the Shark and Karl the Kraken are taking a well-deserved break.

In 1969, the late Charles Schulz created a memorable Sunday edition of his classic comic strip, Peanuts. It began with Linus intensely watching television, shouting enthusiastically, “GO! GO! GO!” Moments later, he leaped with excitement, exclaiming, “FANTASTIC!”

Linus dashed outside to find Charlie Brown engaged with a football. Breathlessly, he recounted, “Charlie Brown, I just witnessed the most incredible football game ever! The home team was trailing six-to-nothing with only three seconds left… they had the ball on their own one-yard line. The quarterback took charge, faded back behind his goal posts, and launched a flawless pass to the left end, who dodged four defenders and raced all the way for a touchdown! The fans went berserk! You should have seen them! People were leaping with joy, and after the extra point, thousands stormed onto the field, laughing and screaming! Players and fans were ecstatic—they rolled on the grass, hugged, danced, and celebrated! It was truly fantastic!”

Charlie Brown, however, pondered, “How did the other team feel?”

This nostalgic scene resurfaced while watching last Sunday’s clash on January 4, 2026, between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. The stakes were high, with the victor poised to revel in winning the AFC North title and gearing up to host a playoff game the following week. Meanwhile, the defeated team would face the somber task of clearing out their lockers.

This came to mind while watching this past Sunday’s (January 4, 2026) tilt between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. The winner would spend the next day celebrating their capturing the AFC North title and preparing to host a playoff game the following week. The loser would spend the next day cleaning out their lockers.

Since I had no rooting interest in either squad, I tuned into the contest for simple enjoyment of the game itself. It provided entertainment in droves, especially during the fourth quarter when the teams played hot potato with the lead, each seizing it from the other only to hand it back as Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson put on a show of clutch quarterbacking. It was fine, fun football.

The Steelers took the lead 26-24 with fifty-five seconds left on a touchdown throw from Rodgers to Calvin Austin III. Joy filled the Terrible Towel-waving throng in attendance, tempered by the knowledge that Pittsburgh’s defense had to hold Baltimore to a field goal at worst, thus sending the game into overtime. But first, the Steelers needed to kick the extra point.

They didn’t, as Ravens safety Keondre Jackson blocked Chris Boswell’s kick.

Game on.

Baltimore ripped off an excellent return of Pittsburgh’s kickoff, bringing the ball out to midfield. Lamar Jackson got to work. It looked like the Steelers had the upper hand, as they worked the situation to fourth down and seven to go with the ball on the fifty. Jackson went back to pass. He shook what looked like a sure sack. He then shook another. He then threaded a pass to Isaiah Likely at the Pittsburgh twenty-four. Fourteen seconds left, Baltimore with two time-outs remaining, Pittsburgh with none.

The Ravens took a knee, then let the clock run down to two seconds left. Out trotted Baltimore place kicker Tyler Loop to attempt a forty-four yard field goal. Not a gimme by any means, but well within Loop’s demonstrated range. Snap. Spot. Kick.

Miss.

Of such moments are sports made.